OWENSBORO, Ky. (5/9/13) – A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans inspection work on the U.S. 231 "William Natcher" Ohio River Bridge in Daviess County starting Monday, May 13.

This detailed inspection of the William Natcher Bridge won’t require lane restrictions.

Due to the closure of the Ky. 2262 Ohio River "Blue" Bridge in downtown Owensboro, the inspection of the William Natcher Bridge will be completed by climbers. This will avoid the need for lane restrictions on the Natcher Bridge during the main portion of the inspection work. This will assure full traffic flow along the detour for the Blue Bridge which will close for 6 months of cleaning and painting work starting Monday.

The climbers will, however, be working along the shoulders of the William Natcher Bridge. This detailed inspection of the U.S. 231 William Natcher Ohio River Bridge is expected to take about a week to complete.

While all lanes on the bridge will be open, motorists should use appropriate caution. Motorists can expect to encounter inspectors working along the bridge deck and climbing the bridge structure during daylight hours starting about 8 a.m. daily. Some daytime lane restrictions will be required later in the summer to allow use of a Snooper Truck to complete the inspection work.

The Willliam Natcher Bridge is at the 14 mile marker on U.S. 231 in Daviess County, Kentucky.

The US 231 Ohio River Bridge opened to traffic in October 2002 and is named for long-time Western Kentucky Congressman William Natcher. It carries approximately 6,000 vehicles across the Ohio River each day between Owensboro and Rockport, Ind.